Ariella Bellingham
Sale Coordinator
Lot 113
PATEK PHILIPPE. A PHENOMENAL 18K GOLD MANUAL WIND PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASE
Ref: 3970 E, c.1988
Amended
20 October 2022, 10:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$98,655 inc. premium
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Max Traber
Specialist
Nate Borgelt
Head of Department, Watches, US
PATEK PHILIPPE. A PHENOMENAL 18K GOLD MANUAL WIND PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASE
Reference: 3970 E
Date: c.1988
Movement: 24-jewel Cal.27-70 manual wind, Seal of Geneva, No.875142
Dial: Silvered, applied gold bullet hour markers, black outer 1/5th second divisions, subsidiary dials at 3, 6 and 9 for constant seconds with 24 hour indication, 30 minute recording with leap year indication, date with moon phase indication, apertures for day and month at 12, gold pointed baton hands, black centre chronograph hand
Case: Round, No.2831389
Strap/Bracelet: Brown alligator
Buckle/Clasp: 18K gold deployant clasp, signed
Signed: Case, dial, and movement
Size: 36mm
Accompaniments: Patek Philippe presentation box. Awaiting Extract from the Archives
Date: c.1988
Movement: 24-jewel Cal.27-70 manual wind, Seal of Geneva, No.875142
Dial: Silvered, applied gold bullet hour markers, black outer 1/5th second divisions, subsidiary dials at 3, 6 and 9 for constant seconds with 24 hour indication, 30 minute recording with leap year indication, date with moon phase indication, apertures for day and month at 12, gold pointed baton hands, black centre chronograph hand
Case: Round, No.2831389
Strap/Bracelet: Brown alligator
Buckle/Clasp: 18K gold deployant clasp, signed
Signed: Case, dial, and movement
Size: 36mm
Accompaniments: Patek Philippe presentation box. Awaiting Extract from the Archives
Footnotes
Reference 3970 was introduced to the market in 1986, and produced through to 2004 when it was replaced by the 5970. Produced in much larger quantities than its predecessors, references 2499 and 1518, it nevertheless has enjoyed immense popularity amongst collectors for both the overall design of the watch and for using the movement caliber CH 27-70 Q.
The 3970 can be categorised into 4 separate series, each bearing slightly different characteristics. The current lot hails from the Fourth series which ran from 1996 to 2004 when the model was discontinued. Similar to the Third series, Fourth series 3970s are classed with an 'E' referring to 'etanche' referring to its water resistance. These models came with both a sapphire crystal display screw back and a solid screw back.
The present lot is an incredibly well preserved example, with all original parts and a dark patination to the case as a result of the watch having minimal wear-time and no polish. This provides an opportunity for collectors to see the watch as it would have looked originally leaving the retailer.
Saleroom notices
Please note that wristbands made of material of endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to property release or shipping.
